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INTERCESSION FOR LIFE

That Jesus grant each of us The courage and peace to share His love with the world; We pray to the Lord:

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MISSION STATEMENT

Our Lady of Good Counsel is a Christ-centered Parish enlightened by the Holy Spirit; guided by the Scriptures, Tradition, and the Sacraments of the Holy Roman Catholic Church; through the Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure, seeking to renew and maintain Love, Family Unity and Christian Values throughout the Community.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

FROM THE DESK OF FR. PASCUAL

Second Sunday of Lent

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him” - Mark 9: 7

Our Gospel Reading this Sunday brings us back to the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James and John are so privileged to witness the event. Peter is caught up with high energy that he wants to build three tents for Jesus, Elijah and Moses. The experience though terrifying places Peter in a position to be excited to build tents for them. In this event a voice from the cloud is heard, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him”. After the transfiguration, all of them went down from the mountain and Jesus tells them not to say anything about it until he will rise from the dead.

The glorification of Jesus is not brought about by his miracles or well-known teachings. Actually, these miracles and thought provoking teachings put him in trouble with the scribes and Pharisees. Rather, Jesus’ glorification is brought about by his passion, death and resurrection, the Paschal Mystery. He suffered and died for the sin of humanity. This act of sacrificial love is brought about by Jesus’ obedience to God’s will. It is very important for us to reflect the words of the Father, this is my beloved Son…listen to him because Jesus sets an example how we can truly be sons and daughters of the Father. To listen to him directs our path towards the things that would nourish our lives spiritually and motivates us to live in grace and not in sin. The Opening Prayer of this Sunday’s Liturgy expresses this, “O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight make pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory.”

Lent is a time given to us to examine ourselves how we are carrying out our call to be Jesus’ disciples today. We ask ourselves if we have been really faithful turning away from our sin and listening and believing in the Good News of Christ as we had reflected from last Sunday’s message. Lent is a moment to continue that journey of faith reconciling ourselves to our God, with one another and with ourselves.

Our Parish Church will undergo a series of renovations. The new chairs are expected to arrive the week after Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. Right after Easter Sunday, the Church will be repainted and the floor will also be replaced. The work will most likely be done for six weekends, more or less. While work is being done, we will be celebrating our liturgies in the Parish Pastoral Center temporarily. I know and understand that this renovation will create a lot of inconvenience since there are many planned activities to take place. But, we can no longer delay. It is of utmost importance that we have to do it the soonest time possible since the chairs are coming in already. I am asking everyone to please cooperate, understand and for your continued support.

With regards to the old chairs, we already contacted the Diocesan Office for Facilities Management to open it up to the other churches if they would like to use it. If you wish to have some, we leave it up to you to come and get them. Coordinate with Mr. Gary Dixon through the Parish Office who is in charge of Facilities and Building Committee. It is not for sale. Once again, thank you for your KOKUA.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

With Lent beginning on Wednesday, February 18th, we will begin the Stations of the Cross every Friday, Starting February 20th.

We would like to have the Ministries call the office to sign up to lead the Stations of the Cross for the following Fridays.

March 6th 7:00pm, Youth & Family Ministries March 13th 7:00pm, Neocatechumenal Way March 20th 7:00pm, ARMS March 27th 7:00pm Knights of Columbus April 3rd 12:00pm, Youth & Young Adults

CENTRAL OAHU VICARIATE 2015 PENANCE SERVICE SCHEDULE

Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa, 7:00pm, Tuesday,, March 3rd St. Elizabeth, Aiea, 7:00pm Thursday, March 12th St. John Apostle and Evangelist, Mililani, 7:00pm, Wednesday, March 18th Resurrection of the Lord, Waipio, 7:00pm, Wednesday, March 25th St. Michael, Waialua, 7:00pm Monday, March 23rd

HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH 2015

Universal: That those involved in scientific research may serve the well-being of the whole human person.

For Evangelization: That the unique contributions of women to the life of the Church may be recognized always.

LENT: LETTING GOD SURPRISE US

So, we’re getting into the spirit of Lent now, fasting (from something!), increasing our prayer and giving of ourselves. Today’s Gospel seems disconnected to all this, with Jesus transfigured into dazzling glory. What does this have to do with Lent?

The transfiguration reminds us of why we undertake Lenten practices. Lent is not about making ourselves more holy, more worthy of God. It’s not about making us feel worthless, aware as we become of our sins, weaknesses and human limitations. Rather, this Gospel reminds us that Jesus is the reason for this season. For God so loved the world, loved human beings, that He sent Himself, His Son, to show us the dazzling brilliance of His love.

Would Jesus have been transfigured if He had been alone on that mountaintop? Personally, I don’t think so. During Lent, we are reminded of Jesus’ glory, that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, the fulfillment of the prophets. Jesus, during Lent and at all times, wants us to know Him, wants us to know who He really is.

PRO-LIFE REFLECTIONS

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! ~Isa 49:15

Reflection. In assuring His people of His unfailing love for them, God seeks an extreme example to make His point: He speaks of the bond between a mother and the child of her womb. He declares that the breaking of that bond is practically unthinkable to Him.

Prayer. Lord, You have established the bond between mother and child and used it as an example of the most faithful commitment. Strengthen all mothers and protect all their children,

WORD OF LIFE

“Through the vulnerability and dependence of the dying person, we discover a call to reach beyond ourselves to those around us and ultimately to God Himself."